|
|
|
|
|
|
"But what about Ian? If you love Papa and then you marry Ianwill you be unchaste after you are married to Ian because you do not love him and do not care if you hurt him?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who said I did not love Ian, Joanna?" Alinor asked gravely. "You know it is very possible to love more than one person at a time. I love you. Does that mean I may not love Adam, who is also my child? Why should I not also love Ian, even if I continue to love Papa? And if I love Ian, then I would never do anything to hurt him. I assure you, I will be as chaste a wife to Ian as I was to your father." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This time Joanna got as far as the floor before she found another question. "Is Geoffrey sick, Mama?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alinor did not sigh with relief, but she sent up a prayer of thanksgiving. So far she and Ian both seemed to have traveled the right path toward peace of mind for the child. "No," she began, and then a notion came to her that might accomplish several good purposes. She pulled Joanna close so that she could speak softly enough that the maids would not hear. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"You asked me why it was needful to be chaste. Geoffrey is a good reason. His mama was not chaste and was not married to his papaI do not know why, so do not ask me that. Of course, that is not Geoffrey's fault at all, but many people who are cruel and stupid, taunt him with that and call him 'bastard,' as if he was to blame for his birth. Geoffrey was not sick. He was afraid that once he was part of our household and no longer a guest, you and Adam and I would be unkind to him. If you are not chaste, you may have a child and that child would suffer for what you had done. That is certainly wrong." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Why do not his mama and papa protect him?" Joanna asked, dismissing the subject of chastity for one far more interesting to her. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"His mama is dead. His papa loves him very much, but he cannot protect Geoffrey against the whole world. |
|
|
|
|
|